JETS: Holmes' injury could be a back-breaker

New York Jets wide receiver Santonio Holmes (10) is helped off the field after being injured during the second half of an NFL football game against the San Francisco 49ers Sunday, Sept. 30, 2012, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)

EAST RUTHERFORD — For a team without a lot of offensive firepower to spare, Sunday’s beatdown to the San Francisco 49ers could have a devastating long-term impact.

On the first play of the fourth quarter, top receiver Santonio Holmes landed awkwardly after catching a pass, fumbling the ball as he went to the ground. As the 49ers Carlos Rogers took the football 54 yards the other way for a touchdown, Holmes didn’t get up, and had to be helped off the field by the Jets’ medical personnel.

Though initially believed to be a knee injury, the official word from the team was that Holmes injured his foot.

The severity of Holmes injury was unknown immediately after the game.

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“I saw him but I don’t know what was going on with him,” said receiver Chaz Shillens. “Obviously, it looks pretty bad. If he’s going to come out of the game, he’s a pretty tough guy, so it’s got to be something that’s not so good. So we’ll see.”

Head coach Rex Ryan didn’t have any further information. Multiple reports said that Holmes will undergo an MRI Monday.

The Jets were already missing both rookie Stephen Hill and tight end Dustin Keller with hamstring injuries. Hill looked like he’d be a factor on offense this season after catching two touchdown passes in their opening-week win over Buffalo, but he was injured in week two against Pittsburgh.

“It would be a big loss,” Hill said, when asked what it would mean for the team if Holmes missed significant time. “He’s done a lot to contribute to the team, this year and last. We’re a team, though, we’re not just one player.”

Holmes was the Jets’ second-leading receiver in terms of yardage each of the last two seasons after coming to New York from Pittsburgh. While with the Steelers, Holmes was named MVP of Super Bowl XLII. Perhaps more important than any accolade, though, was the simple fact that he was the only proven receiver on the Jets roster.

Without Holmes and Hill, the Jets receiving corps was reduced to Shillens, Jeremy Kerley and Patrick Turner. That trio combined for 57 receiving yards on five catches.

Hill is expected back next week against the Houston Texans. Holmes has been something of a mentor to the rookie, and as he was leaving the field with his injury, he told Hill it was time for him to get back on the field.

“I feel no pressure, and I’m not afraid of anything,” Hill added. “Other than that, I’m ready to rock and roll.”

Given the struggles of the Jets offense Sunday, even with Holmes in the lineup, things could unravel quickly for Gang Green if Holmes’ injury is serious.

“We have to play with what we’ve got,” quarterback Mark Sanchez said. “What else can we do? It’s going to be on me to be much more accurate than today and last week and play well with the receivers we have.”